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Jump Starting 12 or 24 Volt

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Old Dec 20, 2007 | 02:07 PM
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Jump Starting 12 or 24 Volt

I am placing this thread here because it applies so well to the PSD with it's dual batteries. There has been some question about how to jump start a 24 volt system using the dual batts in a PSD expressed elsewhere in this forum. I thought I would let people know how I do it.
Why would I or anyone else need to you might ask. Simple, most large diesel engines still have 24 volt starters. Cumins, Cat, International, and some John Deere engines, if you wish to jump at the starter, require 24 volts.
How do you do it? In this part of the country at least, the answer is the Fuel Inc. 12/24 volt switch. You install this item on your truck somewhere and run new cables from the switch to both batteries. You also need to install a set of jumper cable plug ins as well. After that it is a simple matter of pulling a lever to move from 12 to 24 volts on your jumbers.

I have created a gallery of pictures that show the system as it is installed in my truck, and in my Dad's.

If anyone has any questions I will be happy to answer them.
 
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Old Dec 20, 2007 | 04:54 PM
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the batteries in a PSD (at least the 7.3's)) are wired in parallel so it is 12 volts. you would jump it just like any other vehicle.
 

Last edited by wlihntr; Dec 20, 2007 at 04:57 PM.
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Old Dec 20, 2007 | 07:40 PM
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i work on semi trucks with the cat/cummins /and international engines amongst others and they are all 12 volt system also otr trucks have not been 24 volt crank in many years i would not use your setup anywhere near a semi unless you want to burn the truck up the only 24 volt crank system still around is in some buses but most have gone 12 v there also
 

Last edited by 94yj; Dec 20, 2007 at 08:36 PM.
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Old Dec 20, 2007 | 08:19 PM
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i think you are confused about what a 24 volt starter is and how it works. the syatm is 12 volts, not 24. the only thing that ever sees 24 volts is the strter. 2 sets of 12 volt batts are compined with a series parralle solinoid tht feeds the 24 volts to the started. to jump one of these, you hook up junpers thesame way you would if you were jumping your grannys buick. selectan 12 volt battery and hook pos to pos , neg to neg and charge away.
 
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Old Dec 20, 2007 | 09:22 PM
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OK, more information needed clearly. I direct you attention the the Cummins 855 or 743 the Cat 433. Each of these motors and many many more need 24 volts at the starter. If you think not, I invite you out this spring to try and start one on 12 volts. Won't even turn one over. Hell, many times it takes 24 volts to start an IH 605 when it is cold out. I posted this thread because I thought there was some interest, not to have people tell me I did not know what I was doing. Between my Dad and I we use these systems on 24 volt several hundred times a year. On oil change day it seems like all I get done is drag out my cables.
One other thought, yes on a 24 volt system that HAS batteries, and most of ours do not. And if you wanted the amp loss that would result in jumping through those batteries, you would hook your cables up like you were jumping a car, and you would leave the system set on 12 volt. However, go directly to the starter, you need 24.
 
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Old Dec 20, 2007 | 09:46 PM
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sounds like you are talking about farm equiptment
 
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Old Dec 20, 2007 | 10:02 PM
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So far, as far as anyone knows, the starter on a PSD is 12V.

The batteries on the SD are wired in parallel.

If you have proof otherwise, please specify
 
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Old Dec 20, 2007 | 10:07 PM
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The reason this applies to the PSD is the fact that it comes stock with two batteries, thus making it very easy to install this system and be able to jump devices that require 24 volts at the starter.
 
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Old Dec 20, 2007 | 11:13 PM
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Originally Posted by krewat
So far, as far as anyone knows, the starter on a PSD is 12V.

The batteries on the SD are wired in parallel.

If you have proof otherwise, please specify

He is talking about using the PSD batteries to jump start equiptment that has a 24 volt starter, not a PSD starter.

The PSD dual batteries can be hooked up to give 24 volts to a set of jumper cables for this purpose.
 
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Old Dec 21, 2007 | 06:03 AM
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i now see what he is trying to tell us. alot of people use there trucks as trucks and are around heavy equipment that uses 24 volts and with his mod you can jump the equipment form our trucks
 
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Old Dec 21, 2007 | 12:27 PM
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Ah, stupid me, I read that backwards

Interesting - very interesting...
 
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Old Dec 21, 2007 | 03:29 PM
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Interesting thread Blacksmith, thanks for sharing.

I suppose that during the time the solenoid switch is engaged to jump the 24 volt vehicle, the electronics and other items in the Powerstroke continue to be powered of of just one of the on-board batteries?
 
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Old Dec 21, 2007 | 10:07 PM
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i have owned and operated 24 volt stater trucks since 1960.i know how they work. if you jump one, you jump it with 12 volts. it is quite clear that you dontt know wht you are talking about and refuse to listen to people who do know what they are talking about. you dont know what a series parrellel switch is norr how it works. only the starter gets 24 volts,,it comes from 2 banks ov 12 volt batterys that are put in parrelel by the switch that sends 24 volt to the starter. my God man, it is a 12 volt system. it is not a 24 volt system. and thank God no trucks use it anymore. they finnally figured out how to make a 12 volt starter tht will spin a 900 cube diesel.
 
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Old Dec 23, 2007 | 08:52 AM
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yeah you will find old stuff that still uses 24 or big stuff my deck engine prob 1200 horse it uses24 but just for starter but like ol trucker says all you need isto boost one side of the bateries and it usually goes. had one driver tell me he needed batteries on his system( 24v starter series parallel setup) told him no ,cleaned series switch connections replaced couple cables cleaned battery posts. try it, oh it will never start he reaches in door turns key from ground truck never hesitates fires right up he had left it in gear procedes to run halfway way through brand new shop overhead door. just the day before the boss had said try to make it last hee hee
 
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Old Dec 23, 2007 | 12:35 PM
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Blacksmith, here is a twist on the same topic. Can the system you describe be used to supply 24 volt power to this:http://www.readywelder.com/

It is a portable welding system that runs off DC battery power. You use either 18, 24, or 36 volts to power it via DC batterys hooked together, or by a CC/CV DC output welder. Most guys disconnect their batterys to do their welding then reconnect. It would be slick if it would be possible to use the system you describe to charge a set of deep cycle batterys mounted inthe bed or the toolbox that are wired up to be 24 volts.
 
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